Switching mechanism for monorail conveyors

ABSTRACT

A switch for a monorail system, such as used in factories and the like, to enable a trolley to be moved along the main line of the monorail conveyor or diverted onto a spur or branch track by a switch that is remotely actuated. The switch is so constructed that, when it is moved into place either manually, mechanically or by electric power means, it will remain in this position until it is intentionally moved to another position. The switching mechanism is so constructed that the manual, mechanical or electrically actuated systems may be changed by interchanging the switch actuating element only. When the switch is moved into one position, blockage of the open portion of the switch is provided to prevent trolleys from moving off the ends of the rails of the monorail conveyor system. Provision is made to actuate the system manually to direct a weight over center to hold the switch in a given position, or to actuate the switch mechanism by fluid pressure, which may be either hydraulic or air pressure. Still further provision is made to actuate the switch by electrically actuated mechanism, such as a solenoid.

United States Patent [1 1 Larson 3,762,334 Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR MONORAIL CONVEYORS [76] Inventor: Walter F. Larson, PO. Box 1967,

Plainview, Tex. 79072 [22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1971 [211 App1.N0.: 170,012

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of S61. No. 873,302, Nov. 3, 1969.

[52] US. Cl. 104/101, 104/130 [51] E0lb 25/26 [58] Field of Search 104/101; 14/21; 301/5 BA; 49/25, 390; 246/381, 489; 74/95, 100

[56] ReIerenees Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,160,506 11/1915 Goss 14/21 331,450 12/1885 Rothem. 301/5 BA 651,561 6/1900 Werner 104/101 709,590 9/1902 Werner 104/101 797,850 8/1905 Hauptman 104/101 1,094,037 4/1914 Tye 104/101 1,201,080 10/1916 Nikonow... 104/101 3,404,637 10/1968 Lerch 104/101 1,262,168 4/1918 Brown 74/100 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 187,489 10/1922 Great Britain 104/101 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlcnza Assistant ExaminerD. W. Keen Attorney-Wayland D. Keith [57] ABSTRACT A switch for a monorail system, such as used in factories and the like, to enable a trolley to be moved along the main line of the monorail conveyor or diverted onto a spur or branch track by a switch that is remotely actuated. The switch is so constructed that, when it is moved into place either manually, mechanically or by electric power means, it will remain in this position until it is intentionally moved to another position. The switching mechanism is so constructed that the manual, mechanical or electrically actuated systems may be changed by interchanging the switch actuating element only. When the switch is moved into one position, blockage of the open portion of the switch is provided to prevent trolleys from moving off the ends of the rails of the monorail conveyor system. Provision is made to actuate the system manually to direct a weight over center to hold the switch in a given position, or to actuate the switch mechanism by fluid pressure, which may be either hydraulic or air pressure. Still further provision is made to actuate the switch by electrically actuated mechanism, such as a solenoid.

5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures llA Pmmm m' m 3,162,334

' sum 1 [1F 1 INVENTOR.

Walter FTL arsorz BY W HIS AGENT PATENTEDIIBT 2 w 3.762.334

SHEET 2 BF 7 FIG 2 INVENTOR.

gvalfier F Larsorz "1" W HIS AGENT Pmmrmw 21915 SHEET 3 [1F 7 I'Ill u INVENTOR. WalterFLarsov BY HIS AGENT PAIENTEDW 21 15 SHEET 4 [1F 7 Wal ter FLarsor INVENTOR.

HIS AGENT PA'IENIED 21975 3.762.334

SHEET 5 BF 7 F l 6. 7A

rill/11171110711714 INVENTOR.

Walt er F Lars 011 BY 9 HIS AGENT PATENTEDBBI 2 w 3.162.334

SHEET 8 [1F 7 Wa] ter F Lars orz INVENTOR.

2 HIS AGENT IN VENTOR.

Walter F L arson BY W HIS AGENT SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR MONORAIL CONVEYORS This application is a division of application, Ser. No. 873,302, now abandoned filed Nov. 3, I969 for SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR MONORAIL CON- VEYORS.

This invention relates to switches for conveyor sys' tems and more particularly to the monorail switches for monorail type conveyor systems which utilize beams or bars on which a trolley is supported.

Diverting conveyor trolleys onto spur or branch tracks on the usual monorail conveyor system left a number of things to be desired to give positive switching and to prevent the trolley, of the conventional systems, from moving off the track at open switches, when a multiplicity of trolleys are used.

The present switching arrangement enables a section of track to be so moved as to direct a trolley of a conveyor from the conveyor rail onto a branch or spur conveyor track and to be blocked on the normally open track, against a trolley passing off the open end thereof. Further provision is made to enable the monorail tracks, which are switched, to be held in fixed relation until it is desired to switch to another position.

The present trolley switching arrangement enables a prefabricated switch to be placed within a monorail conveyor system and the switching thereof remotely controlled, either manually, mechanically, by fluid power, or by an electrically actuated mechanism, as desired.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a switch for a monorail conveyor system which may be prefabricated and installed within the monorail system in a minimum of time and with a minimum of inconvenience.

Another object of the invention is to provide a monorail conveyor switching system which will positively guard the open ends of the conveyor rails against trolleys passing off the ends of the open switches.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a switching mechanism which will hold the switch in fixed position while in use, until intentionally moved from one position to another.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a monorail switching system which may be manually operated from a remote position.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a monorail switching system for a conveyor, whereby the switch mechanism may be mechanically actuated from a remote position.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a monorail'switching system which may be electrically controlled from a remote station.

Another object of the invention is to provide a monorail switching system for a conveyor, which system has interchangeable components to enable a manually controlled system to be changed to a mechanically controlled or an electrically controlled system without removing the switching mechanism proper from the conveyor system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With these objects in mind and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying, drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several, views thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, taken from above and an end, of the manually controlled form of switching mechanism, showing a curved portion of the conveyor track of a conveyor system shifted into place;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the horizontal support shaft with a sleeve journaled thereon, portions thereof being shown in elevation;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a monorail conveyor track system, with parts broken away and with parts shortened, and showing two monorail switches in place;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but of a fluid actuate d mechanism to perform the switching action;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the tubular member shown in FIG. 7, and showing a portion of the sliding piston therein;

FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken on the line 7B7B of FIG. 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and showing fastening means to attach the tubular member to the track support member;

FIG. 8 is a further modified form of a fluid actuated switching mechanism; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing an electrically actuated switching mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With more detailed reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 6, disclose the form of the invention in which the numeral 1 designates generally an overhead, monorail conveyor system, supported from trusses or the framework of a building or the like, by support members S, which conveyor system is usually of the I-beam type, however, the present system is not to be considered as restricted to an I-beam, monorail conveyor system per se, but may be used on any type monorail system on which trolleys are operated and which require switching. The numeral 2 designates generally a switch which has a straight rail 4 and ,a curved rail 6, which rails v4 and 6 join end to end with the conveyor rail 8, with the rail 4 joining in end to end relation with rails 8 and 22 to complete the straight line of the conveyor when in one position and with the curved rail6 joining in end to end relation with the rail portion 8 and 24, when the switch is moved to another position. The upper side of the respective switch rails 4 and 6 is connected to support members 10 and 12 at their respective :ends. The support members are mounted on a sleeve 14 to journal the support members on a horizontal support shaft 16 which is mounted on upstanding lugs 18 whichare secured to the upper face of .conveyor rail portions 8 and 22. The shaft 16 extends outward through a support member20, which member20 connects between rail 22 and rail 24 soas to holdthe component parts of the switch in assembled relation.

The sleeve 14 is fitted in bearing relation on shaft 16, as will best be seen in FIG. 1A and it is preferable to have a lubrication fitting 26 associated therewith so as to permit the sleeve to be lubricated thereby to allow the sleeve to turn freely on the shaft, when the switch mechanism is actuated.

The support member has an outwardly extending neck 11 which is apertured to receive bolts 28 therethrough, which enables a lug 30, which is welded to tubular member 32, to be bolted, or otherwise secured, to the neck 11. The tubular member 32 extends outward on each side of the neck 11 a sufficient distance to enable a movable weight 34 to slide freely within the tubular member 32 when one end thereof is lowered. Pulling one of the cords or ropes 36 or 38 causes the tubular member 32 to move about the axis of shaft 16, which cords or ropes are secured to eyes 40 and 42 respectively, on the respective ends 33 of the tubular member 32. The slidable weight 34 has resilient bumpers, one bumper on each end thereof, to engage the end 33 of tubular member 32 when one end of the tubular member 32 is lowered by one of the ropes or cords 36 or 38. The slidable weight 34 is of sufficient weight to prevent the tubular member 32 from being accidentally moved to another position. This arrangement of cords or ropes enables an operator, at a lower level, remote from the switch 2 to operate the switch so as to divert a trolley either onto the straight track 4 or onto the curved track 6. Upon movement of the switch rails 4 and 6 from one position to another, the lower end of the support member 12 swings into place to block a trolley T from moving into the open portion of switch 2.

The support members 10 and 12 each has a stop 44 and 46 respectively, thereon to engage upstanding lugs 18, when the switch is shifted from either position to assume an end to end alignment of the rails 4 or 6 of the switch with the portion 8 of the conveyor monorail.

SECOND FORM OF THE INVENTION A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B, in which a tubular member 32A has a lug secured to the bottom thereof, which lug is secured to the upper, apertured end 11 of support member 10 by bolts 28. The tubular member 32A forms a cylinder in which a slidable, weighted piston 34A is positioned, which piston 34A has sealing rings 34B therearound, and which rings may be of the O-ring type which are fitted within grooves 34C formed annularly of the piston. An apertured cylinder head 51 is provided in each end of the tubular member 32A, which cylinder heads are held in place, as by snap rings 52, with conduits 54 and 56 being in fluid communication with the respective ends of the tubular member 32A. The conduits 54 and 56 connect with a four-way valve 58, which enables fluid to be selectively switched to either end of the tubular member 32A, whereupon, the pressure within the cylinder will direct the slidable piston 34A to the desired end of the tubular member 32A, which piston is of such weight as to cause the movable track section 4 or 6 to be moved into end to end relation with a portion of the track 8, with the support member 12 blocking the open end of the track in the manner set out for the aforementioned form of the invention.

The four-way switching valve 58 may be positioned remotely from the tubular member 32A, which forms a cylinder, and the conduits, which connect to the ends of the tubular member 32A may be flexible to accommodate the rocking action of the tubular member 32A about the axis of shaft 16. It is to be pointed out that the tubular member 32A has an apertured lug 30 on the bottom thereof, which enables the lug 30 to be secured to the neck 11 by bolts 28. Therefore, the manual system, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, may be readily converted into a fluid actuated system, as shown in FIG. 7 and 78, as all other parts of the monorail con veyor and of the switching system are the same as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6.

THIRD FORM OF THE INVENTION The form of the invention as shown in FIG. 8 uses the same switching mechanism as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 and 7, except an upwardly extending lever 1 1A is bolted to the upper portion 1 l of switch rail sup port 10. A cylinder 32B is pivotally mounted on an upstanding, apertured lug 61 by a pivot pin 62, so, upon applying pressure thorugh conduit 64 to cylinder 32B, the plunger 66, which is pivotally connected to upwardly extending lever 11A will move the switch rails 4 and 6 about the axis of shaft16 so the curved rail portion 6 will pivot about shaft 16 and move the rail 4 of switch portion 2 into alignment with conveyor rail 8, in the same manner as disclosed in the first form of the invention. A four-way valve 68 is provided for directing fluid under pressure, either through conduit 64 into one end of cylinder 328 or through conduit 70 into the opposite end of cylinder 32B, so as to move lever 11A about the axis of shaft 16 to enable the straight track 4 to be moved into aligned position with rail 8 when curved track 6 is moved out of alignment therewith. The movement of the switch 2 performs the same function and in the same manner as set out for the first form of the invention.

FOURTH FORM OF THE INVENTION The form of the invention as shown in FIG. 9, uses the same monorail switching system as the aforementioned forms of the invention, however, this form of the invention is electrically actuated, as by a solenoid which is designated generally at 32C, which solenoid is pivotally mounted, at 81, to lug 82, so upon directing current through two of the electrical conductors 84, which lead to the solenoid 32C, the armature 86 will be moved in one direction to move the lever 118 in one direction, which lever is pivotally connected to a clevis 88. The lever 11B is bolted, or otherwise secured, to the upper end of neck 11 which is connected to switch rail support member 10, and which will rock switch rails 4 and 6 about the axis of shaft 16 in the manner hereinbefore set out for the first form of the invention.

The travel of the solenoid armature 86 is such as to rock the lever 11B about the axis of shaft 16 so as to move the switch rails 4 and 6 the proper arcuate distance to engage the stops 44 and 44 to properly engage lugs 18.

Upon energizing two wires of the circuits 84, the magnetic field of solenoid 32C will be reversed and the armature 86 will be moved in the opposite direction to perform the desired switching action.

A source of electrical power and proper switching mechanism are well known in the art, and are not specifically described, and may be provided to properly direct current to solenoid 32C to perform the monorail switching operation.

What is claimed is:

1. A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, which switch comprises; I

a. upstanding lugs mounted on the upper side of the rails of the conveyor system, adjacent the ends of the switch unit,

b. a substantially horizontal shaft mounted on said lugs and supported thereby,

c. rail support members mounted on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,

(1. two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,

1. one of the two said switch rails being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch are in a first position,

2. the other of said two switch rails, mounted on said support members, adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in a second position,

3. an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members,

e. a fluid powered cylinder connected to said upstanding member,

I. a conduit connected to each end of said fluid powered cylinder,

f. a source of fluid under pressure,

g. a four-way switching valve connected to each said conduit connected to the respective ends of said fluid powered cylinder and to said source of fluid under pressure,

h. said four-way switching valve, when in one position, adapted to direct fluid, under pressure, into one end of said fluid powered cylinder, to move said upright member, said rail support members and the switching rails connected thereto about the axis of said shaft to one position, with the fluid from the opposite end of the cylinder being directed outward through the other of said conduits and through said four-way valve, and 1. said four-way switching valve, when in a second position, adapted to direct fluid, under pressure, to the opposite end of said fluid powered cylinder to move said upright member, said rail support members and the switching rails connected thereto about the axis of said shaft to a second position.

2. A composite, self-contained switchv for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said fluid powered cylinder is an elongated, transverse tubular member mounted on and secured to said upstanding member,

b. a piston fitted within said cylinder and movable from one end thereof to the opposite end thereof, by fluid pressure,

1. the weight of said piston being such that, when said piston is moved to an of said elongated, transverse tubular member, the center of gravity will be so changed as to move said cylinder and one of the switch rails into one position to connect one of the switch rails with one of said conveyor rails, and 5 2. when said piston is moved to the opposite end of said elongated, tubular member by fluid pressure, the center of gravity will shift to disconnect the first switch rail from the conveyor rail and move the other of the switch rails to a position to connect with a second of said conveyor rails.

3. A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, as defined in claim 2; wherein a. said fluid powered cylinder has an apertured plate secured thereto to detachably connect said cylinder with said upstanding, apertured member on one of said support members to enable the fluid powered bylinder to be quickly removed and replaced. 7

4. A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for a movement therealong, as defined in claim 1; wherein I a. said fluid powered cylinder has an apertured ear on one end thereof,

1. apertured, upstanding support means mounted on-one of said conveyor rails to pivotally mount said fluid powered cylinder,

2. pivot means interconnecting said apertured ear and said apertured, upstanding support member inder, b. a piston rod extending outwardly from the opposite end of said fluid powered cylinder, 1. an apertured clevis mounted on the outer end of said piston rod,

2. pivot means pivotally connecting said apertured clevis to said upstanding, apertured member, c. when fluid is directed, under pressure, into one end of said cylinder, the piston rod is moved in one direction, with fluid within said fluid powered cylinder being discharged out of the opposite end of said cylinder,

l. directing fluid into the other end of said cylinder and out of the opposite end thereof, will move the piston rod, said upstanding member and said switch rails connected thereto to an opposite position, thereby to enable the switch rails to be selectively connected to the conveyor rails.

5. A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, which switch comprises;

a. upstanding lugs mounted on the upper side of the rails of the conveyor system, adjacent the ends of the switch u'nit,

b. a substantially horizontal shaft mounted on said lugs and supported thereby,

c. rail support members mounted on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,

to permit pivotal action of said fluid powered cyld. two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,

1. one of the two said switch rails being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in a first position,

2. the other of the two said switch rails, mounted on said support members, being adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in a second position,

3. an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members,

e. a solenoid-armature combination,

1. one end of said solenoid of said solenoidarmature combination having apertured ears thereon,

2. the armature of said solenoid-armature combination having an apertured extremity,

3. pivot means pivotally connecting said upstanding, apertured member and said apertured extremity of said armature,

4. an upstanding, apertured solenoid mounting means mounted on said conveyor rail,

5. pivot means pivotally connecting said apertured ear on said solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination with said upstanding, apertured solenoid mounting means,

f. electrical conductors connected to a source of electrical power,

g. said electrical conductors leading to said solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination,

1. an electrical switch means connected within said electrical conductors leading to the solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination,

h. said electrical switch means adapted to selectively connect said solenoid with said electrical conductors to move said armature in one direction, when said electrical switch is in one position, and I. said electrical switch adapted to connect said electrical conductors with said solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination so said solenoid will move said armature in the opposite direction, when said electrical switch in in another position. 

1. A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, which switch comprises; a. upstanding lugs mounted on the upper side of the rails of the conveyor system, adjacent the ends of the switch unit, b. a substantially horizontal shaft mounted on said lugs and supported thereby, c. rail support members mounted on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,
 1. one of the two said switch rails being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch are in a first position,
 2. the other of said two switch rails, mounted on said support members, adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyoR system, when said switch rails are in a second position,
 3. an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members, e. a fluid powered cylinder connected to said upstanding member,
 1. a conduit connected to each end of said fluid powered cylinder, f. a source of fluid under pressure, g. a four-way switching valve connected to each said conduit connected to the respective ends of said fluid powered cylinder and to said source of fluid under pressure, h. said four-way switching valve, when in one position, adapted to direct fluid, under pressure, into one end of said fluid powered cylinder, to move said upright member, said rail support members and the switching rails connected thereto about the axis of said shaft to one position, with the fluid from the opposite end of the cylinder being directed outward through the other of said conduits and through said four-way valve, and
 1. said four-way switching valve, when in a second position, adapted to direct fluid, under pressure, to the opposite end of said fluid powered cylinder to move said upright member, said rail support members and the switching rails connected thereto about the axis of said shaft to a second position.
 2. the other of said two switch rails, mounted on said support members, adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyoR system, when said switch rails are in a second position,
 2. pivot means interconnecting said apertured ear and said apertured, upstanding support member to permit pivotal action of said fluid powered cylinder, b. a piston rod extending outwardly from the opposite end of said fluid powered cylinder,
 2. pivot means pivotally connecting said apertured clevis to said upstanding, apertured member, c. when fluid is directed, under pressure, into one end of said cylinder, the piston rod is moved in one direction, with fluid within said fluid powered cylinder being discharged out of the opposIte end of said cylinder,
 2. A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said fluid powered cylinder is an elongated, transverse tubular member mounted on and secured to said upstanding member, b. a piston fitted within said cylinder and movable from one end thereof to the opposite end thereof, by fluid pressure,
 2. when said piston is moved to the opposite end of said elongated, tubular member by fluid pressure, the center of gravity will shift to disconnect the first switch rail from the conveyor rail and move the other of the switch rails to a position to connect with a second of said conveyor rails.
 2. the armature of said solenoid-armature combination having an apertured extremity,
 2. the other of the two said switch rails, mounted on said support members, being adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in a second position,
 3. an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members, e. a solenoid-armature combination,
 3. pivot means pivotally connecting said upstanding, apertured member and said apertured extremity of said armature,
 3. A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, as defined in claim 2; wherein a. said fluid powered cylinder has an apertured plate secured thereto to detachably connect said cylinder with said upstanding, apertured member on one of said support members to enable the fluid powered bylinder to be quickly removed and replaced.
 3. an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members, e. a fluid powered cylinder connected to said upstanding member,
 4. A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for a movement therealong, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said fluid powered cylinder has an apertured ear on one end thereof,
 4. an upstanding, apertured solenoid mounting means mounted on said conveyor rail,
 5. A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, which switch comprises; a. upstanding lugs mounted on the upper side of the rails of the conveyor system, adjacent the ends of the switch unit, b. a substantially horizontal shaft mounted on said lugs and supported thereby, c. rail support members mounted on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,
 5. pivot means pivotally connecting said apertured ear on said solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination with said upstanding, apertured solenoid mounting means, f. electrical conductors connected to a source of electrical power, g. said electrical conductors leading to said solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination, 